Mai is a 78-year-old woman from Cambodia who needs $612 to fund fracture repair surgery on her hip.

Meet Mai

Mai's story

November 3, 2026

Mai is a 78-year-old widow from Cambodia. She has two children and lives with her eldest child, who is a rice farmer. In her free time, she enjoys listening to monks praying.

In April 2026, Mai accidentally fell from a chair and fractured the neck of her left femur, resulting in an intracapsular hip fracture. At first, she was still able to walk with support, but the pain gradually became worse over the following months. Since September, her condition has significantly deteriorated, leaving her unable to walk. She now relies on a wheelchair to move around. The ongoing pain and limited mobility have made even her everyday activities increasingly difficult, and she needs support with getting around.

On November 3rd, Mai will receive a hip hemiarthroplasty with the help of our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC). A hip hemi-arthroplasty is a partial hip replacement that involves replacing half of the hip joint. Hopefully, this procedure will help Mai move without discomfort. Mai’s family can contribute $100, but needs help raising $612 more to fund her procedure and care.

Mai’s granddaughter said, “I hope my grandmother’s surgery goes well and helps her walk again. I want her to be free from the pain, move around more easily, and enjoy spending time with our family without being confined to a wheelchair.”

Mai is a 78-year-old widow from Cambodia. She has two children and lives with her eldest child, who is a rice farmer. In her free time, she ...

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PROFILE SUBMITTED
Mai was submitted by Pisey Sim Rey, Administration Officer at Children's Surgical Centre
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TREATMENT SCHEDULED
Mai is scheduled to receive treatment at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre in Cambodia. Medical partners often provide care to patients accepted by Watsi before those patients are fully funded, operating under the guarantee that the cost of care will be paid for by donors.
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PROFILE PUBLISHED
Mai's profile was published to start raising funds.
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AWAITING FUNDING
Mai is currently raising funds for her treatment.
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UPDATE IN PROGRESS
Mai's treatment update from Children's Surgical Centre is in progress.

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Treatment

Hip hemi-arthroplasty

Cost Breakdown
Diagnosis
Procedure

On average, it costs $712 for Mai's treatment

For this patient, Watsi raises $612 and other contributions cover any remaining cost

Hospital Fees

$150

Medical Staff

$445

Medication

Supplies

$93

Labs

$14

Radiology

$10

Symptoms
Impact on patient's life
Cultural or regional significance

What kinds of symptoms do patients experience before receiving treatment?

Patients experience pain in the hip or groin, are unable to stand or put weight on the leg of the injured hip.

What is the impact on patients’ lives of living with these conditions?

Patients with hip fractures have limited mobility and are often in constant pain.

What cultural or regional factors affect the treatment of these conditions?

Many Cambodians use motorbikes as their main form of transportation. Because of weak traffic laws, motorbike accidents are common. Injured individuals who cannot afford treatment often self-medicate or rely on Khmer traditional healers. This often delays proper care and patients may suffer great pain prior to surgery. Fractures never heal, and patients live with the pain. Steroids are a common pain treatment in Cambodia. No prescription is required. Individuals who do intense physical labor take steroids regularly, which restricts blood flow to the joints. This causes bone tissue death and tiny bone breaks, making bones more susceptible to breaks and fractures. Fractures are associated with significant morbidity, mortality, loss of independence, and financial burden.

Process
Impact on patient's life
Risks and side-effects
Accessibility
Alternatives

What does the treatment process look like?

A hip hemiarthroplasty is a "half a hip replacement" and is reserved for patients who fracture the hip and where fixation is either not possible or not provide reliable results - whereas half a hip replacement is the reliable procedure. The head of the damaged thighbone (femur) is replaced with an implant that stabilizes the femur while restoring function to the hip. When the head of the femur is removed, the inside of the femur is hollowed out, and a metal stem is placed snugly inside the femur.

What is the impact of this treatment on the patient’s life?

Hemiarthroplasties are often reserved for elderly patients who break their hip but where a total hip replacement may not be completely necessary. These patients get pain relief and restored mobility. Without surgery, many patients may experience further complications like blood clots from immobility.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

Patients may experience prosthesis-related complications, including fracture of the bones around the implant, dislocation, infection, aseptic loosening, and wear on the socket of the hip bone. These complications can lead to increased morbidity, mortality, and cost.

How accessible is treatment in the area? What is the typical journey like for a patient to receive care?

Children's Surgical Centre was one of the first hospitals to offer hip replacement surgery and continues to offer the latest techniques for little or no cost to Cambodians who cannot afford it. Typically patients travel two to eight hours over rough or dirt roads, often in a tuk-tuk. They are referred by provincial hospitals or by neighbors and relatives.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

There are other surgical alternatives, and much depends on the type of fracture, the health, and the age of the patient. Many poor Cambodians seek help from traditional Khmer healers with a delayed presentation to proper care. Some fractured hips may heal on their own, but it involves complete bed rest and joint immobilization for three to four months. This creates other potential complications, especially for the elderly, and is almost impossible in Cambodian culture and lifestyle.

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